JMF launches new Community Scholarships Pathways Program

John Moriarty Football (JMF) is launching its new Community Scholarships Pathways Program during the upcoming  Indigenous Football Week from 9-15 November 2020. A part of JMF’s broader Scholarships & Pathways initiative, the program provides scholarships to selected athletes within their regional communities with educational support in the form of tutoring and mentoring, equipment and stationery for school, as well as placement with a local JMF-partnered football club, football equipment and travel support.

John Moriarty, JMF and Moriarty Foundation  Co-Founder and Co-Chair, and the first Indigenous footballer selected for Australia, said “This game-changing program is developing a grassroots pipeline of football talent and also fostering positive change, including improved school attendance and more resilient, healthier outcomes for players, their families and communities.”

“JMF is currently providing Community Scholarships to five children from our JMF program and are already seeing positive impacts to the scholars, their families and communities.”

Current JMF Community Scholarship holders include:

• Tobias, 16 (Kuranda, QLD)
• Bradley, 15 (Dubbo, NSW)
• Martin, 13 (Dubbo, NSW)
• Haylee Ann, 11 (Dubbo, NSW)
• Tyra, 11 (Dubbo, NSW)

JMF Kuranda Community Scholar Tobias Gregory

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By developing a clear pathways structure, JMF provides incredible opportunities for talented and dedicated players to go on and represent local clubs, professional clubs, schools, institutes and national squads. We believe that through our school-based curriculum, we will grow and develop some of the most talented Indigenous players in Australia and have the expertise and know-how to support these players holistically on their football journey.

Since establishing the program in 2012 in Borroloola NT, we have already helped our inaugural Scholarship holder, Shadeene (Shay) Evans, on her path to the national stage. Shay has played two seasons for Sydney FC, winning the W-league in 2019, and scored for the Young Matildas on their quest to the U20 World Cup. JMF anticipates many more stories such as Shay’s with its clear growth and expansion plans ahead.

(pictured above is Kuranda Community Scholar, Tobias Gregory and JMF Program Coordinator, Raihan Anwar)